Final answer:
During stress, the body initiates a fight-or-flight response, where the heart rate increases, stomach/intestine activity decreases, the liver releases glucose, the brain signals hormone release, and muscles tense up to prepare for immediate action.
Step-by-step explanation:
Body's Response to Stress
When you feel stressed, different organs in your body respond in specific ways to help you tackle the stressful situation. Here is how each organ responds:
- Heart: The heart rate increases to push blood through the body faster.
- Stomach/Intestines: Activity decreases so energy can be redirected to other parts of the body.
- Liver: Releases glucose into the bloodstream to power cells.
- Brain: Specifically, the hypothalamus signals the release of stress hormones.
- Muscles: Tense up to protect the body against injury.
The fight-or-flight response triggers the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which in turn increase heart rate and blood glucose levels for immediate energy. If stress persists, the HPA axis may cause prolonged release of cortisol, which can have negative effects on health, such as weakened immunity and increased risk of chronic diseases.